Abstract: A system and method for distributing music and data. The music or data is first transmitted to a consumer via a satellite radio network. The system includes a satellite radio receiver for the user which is capable of receiving the wireless transmission and providing an audio and/or visual output in response thereto. In addition, the receiver is adapted to receive an input (e.g., voice command) from the user by which the user is able to signal an interest in recording a selection of music or data being played and/or displayed. In response to this signal and a record-ability signal, an ID signal is stored on a removable media which identifies the selection being played and/or displayed. The ID signal may be a composite signal indicating the time and channel, a signal that identifies a selection by number, or other suitable ID signal.

Abstract: A system (100) for combining satellite and terrestrial signals from spatially diverse antennas (102 and 104) includes a tuner (101) and at least first and second analog to digital converters (103, 105) for converting at least two among the plurality of satellite signals and the terrestrial signal to a first digital stream and a second digital stream. A switch arrangement (106, 102 126) selectively switches among the first digital stream and the second digital stream before demodulating the digital streams using a plurality of algorithms (112, 122, 130) that selectively uses respectively demodulated signals of the first digital stream and the second digital stream to control (114, 124, 132) the switch arrangement to provide a plurality of multiplexed signals (161, 162, 163) that are combined (134) to form a combined signal (170). The combined signal can then be forward error corrected (136).

Abstract: A novel and useful apparatus for and method of securely downloading and installing a patch program in a processing device. Each processing device is assigned a unique key embedded therein during manufacture and has knowledge of a shared key. The program patch is encrypted using the shared key and transmitted over a communication link, such as a satellite radio link, to each device. The patch is decrypted using the shared key and re-encrypted using the unique key known only to the device itself. The re-encrypted patch program is stored in nonvolatile memory and upon reset of the device, the encrypted patch contents are read out of the nonvolatile memory, decrypted using the unique key and loaded into patch memory for execution by the processing device.

Abstract: A receiver in a digital broadcast system is provided for storing broadcast content files for on-demand playback purposes. The content files are transmitted in a partitioned format. Users can select which content files are to be captured in a memory device following reception. The receiver is operable to monitor the reception of content file segments and, when a selected on-demand content file has been completely received, to generate an alert message to notify a user that the content is available for retrieval from the memory device and playback via an output device.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to a receiver unit in a digital broadcast system for receiving a broadcast signal comprising content segments and control data, and generating an output signal using the content segments and previously stored content segments at the receiver. The previously stored content segments are decrypted. The receiver is configured to obtain authorization from a remote distribution center to decrypt locally stored content segments requested by a user for recording onto a portable storage medium.

Abstract: A system and method for simultaneously receiving first and second ensembles. The first ensemble includes a first signal from a first satellite, a first signal from a second satellite and a first signal from a terrestrial repeater. Likewise, the second ensemble includes a second signal from the first satellite, a second signal from the second satellite and a second signal from the terrestrial repeater. The inventive receiver further includes a mechanism for selectively outputting signals transmitted within the first and second ensembles. In the illustrative embodiment, the first signal from the second satellite is identical to the first signal from the first satellite. Similarly, the first signal from the terrestrial repeater is identical to the first signal from the first satellite.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for transmitting audio signals from an auxiliary source such as a satellite broadcast receiver or a CD or cassette player to a radio receiver located, for example, in a vehicle, using a wireless link. The apparatus comprises a scanning device for locating open radio frequencies in the RF spectrum of the radio receiver. The apparatus displays plural RF channel options on a display device and provides a selection device with which a user selects an RF channel. The apparatus modulates the audio signals using the selected radio frequency, and the user tunes the vehicle radio receiver to the selected RF channel. The scanning device continuously scans for open RF channels and monitors the quality of the RF channel already selected for use as the wireless link. The apparatus provides the user with an indication to select another open channel when the RF channel in use degrades.

Abstract: A combined antenna system used for both vehicles and structures, whereby a satellite antenna is placed concentrically around a conventional mast antenna that can be used for both conventional FM radio and also terrestrial retransmission of the satellite broadcast signals. The combined antenna system, in a vehicle implementation, is configured to use only the one hole created in the vehicle manufacturing process, thereby preventing the necessity of drilling a second hole for the satellite antenna, which alleviates deterioration of the vehicle's body. Additionally, because the combined antenna system can be advantageously placed, a shorter RF cable connecting it to a receiver box can be implemented than otherwise would be the case for a satellite antenna located on a window or roof of a vehicle.

Abstract: A device (100) for receiving, storing and playing back digital audio radio signals comprises a receiver (203), a decoder (502 and/or 504), a user input (516), a storage medium (510) coupled to the decoder, and a system controller (508) coupled to the user input. The receiver receives a digitally encoded bit stream (300) on a plurality of communication resources (104), wherein each communication resource contains content and associated index information. The decoder selectively decodes a selected plurality of communication resources and the user input selects the selected plurality based on the associated index information and selects a portion of the content contained in selected plurality to be retrieved. The storage medium stores the content and associated index information contained in the selected plurality of communication resources and the system controller stores and retrieves content to and from the storage medium based on input received at the user input.

Abstract: A receiver adapted to receive a signal having at least first and second carrier frequencies on which first and second information signals are modulated, respectively. The inventive receiver further includes circuitry for converting the received signal to a complex baseband signal. In the illustrative embodiment, the received signal includes first and second ensembles. The first ensemble includes a first signal from a first source, a first signal from a second source and a first signal from a third source. The second ensemble includes a second signal from the first source, a second signal from the second source and a second signal from the third source. The receiver is adapted to selectively output the first and/or the second ensemble. Conversion of the band is achieved with quad mixers. The outputs of the mixers are digitized and selectively provided as the first and/or the second ensemble by a digital translation stage.

Abstract: A communications system and method in which first and second carrier frequencies are transmitted from a first transmitter. The first carrier frequency is at a first low end of a band and the second carrier is at a second higher end of the band. Third and fourth carrier frequencies are transmitted from a second transmitter. The third carrier is at the lower end of the band but higher in frequency than the first carrier and the fourth carrier is at the higher end of the band but lower in frequency than the second carrier. Fifth and sixth carrier signals are transmitted from a third transmitter. The fifth carrier signal is higher in frequency than the third carrier signal and the sixth carrier signal is lower in frequency than the fourth carrier signal. In the illustrative embodiment, the first transmitter is located on a first satellite, the second transmitter is located on a second satellite and the third transmitter is located on a terrestrial repeater.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to a digital broadcast system and receivers therein which are configured to allow the use of a reverse channel for transmitting responses to broadcast messages. The digital broadcast system is configured to receive requests for information from a mobile platform device (e.g., a GPS receiver) and broadcast information request messages. The receivers are configured to receive a broadcast information request message and communicate with a telematics-enabled device in a mobile platform such as a cellular telephone to initiate a transmission of a response message therefrom.

Abstract: An antenna system is provided which employs RF and DC coupling across a dielectric. RF coupling is achieved using low cost and low loss RF coupler pairs such as quarterwave patches that are mounted opposite each other on either side of a dielectric. The feeds of the patches are aligned so as to be directly opposite each other, and the patches are mounted against the dielectric. A voltage booster circuit can be provided to increase input supply voltage for DC coupling that is adjustable to accommodate the thickness of the dielectric.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for adjusting the gain characteristics of an antenna array in accordance with elevation angle with respect to a satellite for optimum signal reception. The antenna elements of the antenna array are electronically steered in accordance with stored antenna element control data. The antenna element control data is retrieved based on the location of a mobile unit transporting the antenna and a receiver connected thereto, and on stored satellite location data. The mobile unit location data may be provided manually by a user using an input device on the receiver, or automatically by means of a GPS receiver.

Abstract: A combination linearly polarized antenna and quadrifilar helix antenna (30) comprises a flexible substrate (50), a quadrifilar antenna (33) with a feed network (34) etched on a first portion of the flexible substrate, an antenna with linear polarization (35) etched on a second portion of the flexible substrate and a ground plane (36) for both the quadrifilar antenna and the antenna with linear polarization etched on the flexible substrate.

Abstract: A method of interleaving data for transmission is provided wherein first and second interleaving patterns for arranging data symbols in a source data stream into first and second transmitted data streams are selected. Each of said data symbols has at least one bit. The first and second transmitted data streams are transmitted substantially simultaneously on separate transmission channels to at least one receiver. The first and second patterns are used to transmit the data symbols in the source data stream in a different order on the respective transmission channels to maximize recovery of the source data stream when the transmission channels are blocked. The selected interleaving patterns can involve reordering the data symbols throughout the first and second transmitted data streams using different reordering criteria The reordering. criteria can vary on a frame-by-frame basis if the source data stream is time division multiplexed. Complementary data can be sent on respective transmission channels.

Abstract: A composite data stream is stored on a data storage medium. The composite data stream comprises a plurality of program channels to provide services such as satellite digital audio radio service (SDARS), among others. The program channels are multiplexed into the composite data stream, which also comprises control data for indicating where services are located in the composite data stream. A playback device is configured to access the composite data stream on the data storage medium, to demultiplex at least the program channels and to retrieve selected services from the data storage medium in response to user inputs by using the control data.

Abstract: A device for prepaid recording of digital audio signals. In a system where digital radio signals are received in an encoded format, a digital converter that is enabled by a smartcard module is employed to convert encoded digital signals to decoded digital signals for recording onto a digital storage media. A smartcard having a prepaid account balance is employed to authorize and control the recording of digital signals. A buffer is advantageously employed to store a quantity of digital signals prior to recording.

Abstract: A method (700) of customizing the selection of channels among a plurality of channels includes the steps of receiving (702) a digitally encoded bit stream over-the-air on the plurality of channels and decoding (704) a selected channel among the plurality of channels. The method further comprises the steps of selectively tagging (706) a desired type of content on the selected channel, analyzing (708) a broadcast information channel and/or an Electronic Program Guide for an indication of content of the desired type among the plurality of channels, and alerting (710) a user of a desired channel containing the indication.

Abstract: A satellite receiver is switchable between an operating mode wherein the receiver is capable of generating an output signal using received signals from one or a plurality of satellites, aid another operating mode wherein the receiver generates an output signal using signals received from only one satellite. The former operating mode is useful when the receiver is operating in a mobile environment. The latter operating mode is useful when the receiver is operating in a fixed environment. The receiver is configured to detect the mode in which it is operating. The receiver comprises at least two recevier arms for processing a broadcast signal from a selected one of two satellites. The receiver disables one of the arms when the receiver is stationary.